Melissa’s Blog

This morning seemed so stressful to me. I guess the major problem was me and I am pmsing. I went out for a walk early this morning. When I got home had to get the kids ready and the house ready for the cleaners. Bret stayed home a bit to help, thank goodness. The kiddos attending the first day of summer session 2 at pre school while I got caught up on all my membership stuff. I decided to let the kids play there the entire time while I got everything done. The kids were as happy as can be to be there-they had so much fun. They went in their bathing suits and went into the pool. There was a slide going into the pool, so fun. I am so glad I accomplished so much. We decided to have lunch with daddy since he is not going to see us tonight. We had a nice lunch. Nicole was a little melty for some reason. The kids seemed wild. I let them watch a show when we got home so I could have some time. Then I gave them a bath/shower. Nicole has pig tails in-I love it. Justin stayed naked for a while. Both kids decided to do a show for me. They pretended to be dogs, Nicole was Biscuit and Justin was just Justin the kitty. The kids are crazy but fun. We went to Nicole’s ice skating lesson. She did so well. She is getting a little faster and was skating by herself. The instructor tried to make it fun and threw balls for the kids to skate and get themselves. Nicole got so many of them. Justin hung out with grandma/pa. After we went to dinner with grandma/pa. The kids had fun. We went to the candy store as well. Nicole got some ice cream and Justin wanted candy. They both shared though. They watched a little of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Nicole was horrified someone turned blue and kept asking about it. We came home and it took a bit to unwind the kids but they are sleeping.

Here are some pics from ice skating:

We had a little play group here this morning.  The kids had fun playing but wanted to play with me as well. They were also wanting to wear all their bathing suits and change-it was only 9:00 and they had changed twice. They were outside for a bit and got all wet. Oh well they were happy. They played up in our shower/bath. They shut our bedroom doors and I heard all the bath toys making there way into the shower. After lunch we headed to the pool for our swim lessons. Both kids did so well. Nicole went first this time and Lynne had goggles for her so she was all happy. Both kids went underwater-yeah! They both hopefully will be water safe soon. I was so proud of them. We had fun swimming. The kids loved jumping into my arms, they splashed me so much that I gave in and went under water. I was trying to keep my hair in tact, silly me. We ran into some pre school friends as well. All the kids had fun playing in the pool together. After we went to Paula’s for play group. I think Justin was tired and it took him a while to get into playing. He cuddled with me for a bit. Nicole had fun playing with Katie and Sarah in the girl’s room with all the girly toys, the doll house, etc. Justin had fun playing with the hot wheels and trains. When we first got there he was looking for trains and the helicopter. All the kids did a show for us. So funny they stand by the bay window with curtains and that is the stage with the coffee table being part of it too. They did a dog and cat show, orange show, and bunny show. It was so cute. What an imagination. We picked up daddy and went to Red Robin for dinner, with daddy’s coupon for his birthday burger. Nicole was a little cranky and tired. The kids were in the game room for a bit. We had a nice dinner and came home and went upstairs. The kids were into playing with their name (letter) trains in their rooms so we only read a few books.

Bret was working late last night. I walked with a couple friends this morning. Dad played lots of games with the kiddos. It is so hot though! We all went to Costco this morning. It was getting a little crowded but the kids were really good. Nothing too exciting we got gas and lunch then headed home. The kids went in the jacuzzi while dad and I worked out in the backyard. They had so much fun in the jacuzzi, they used their floaties. We have been neglecting our jacuzzi and it needs some maintenance-ugh. After I gave the kids a shower. They love using the sprayer thing in the bath. Nicole let me put pig tails in and it looks so cute. They have been watching the trailer to Alvin and the Chipmunks and love it. They are saying Chickawow from the movie-Alvin said it. So silly. We fought turning on our air conditioning, so we decided to go to the mall. I needed to look at a couple things for the kids. It was so crowded at the mall; we should have figured. The kids rode on a little train there in the caboose. We came home and finally gave in and turned on the air conditioning. The kids watched some Seasame Street and dad rested. Then Paula’s kiddos came over. We were babysitting so Paula and her hubby could have a night out. Sarah and Nicole played really well together, playing baby and grocery store. They pretended to be hiding from the monsters. Katie and Michael played with the race track and Justin was outside helping daddy with sprinklers. The kids all loved eating dinner, Nicole said pop goes the bread and all the kids were cracking up. It was really funny listening to the kiddos. We decided to go on bunny path-we were hoping to see some bunnies. The kids had fun pretending to scare us. They went on all the stepping stones and had quite and an adventure. They all played really well together. The kids went to bed a little late but are sound asleep now. Bret and I cleaned up and we are pretty tired, maybe it is the heat.

I went and got my haircut this  morning. I decided to take Nicole with me. We had fun together. I changed into a robe thing there and hung up my shirt in the bathroom. She was worried I was leaving my shirt behind-she told me she really liked my shirt. Silly! She liked watching me get my hair washed. The girl offered to wash Nicole’s but Nicole said no. While I was getting my hair cut the assistant put Nicole’s hair in french braids. She looked so cute and grown up. She really liked it too but she was bribed with a muffin. After getting our hair done we met dad and Justin at sport’s class. Today was all about soccer. Justin is doing so well. He learned to use the side of his foot to kick and learned to kick the ball to the goal. He is doing really well. After we went to Grammy’s. We wanted to see cousin Zach one more time before he headed home to New Zealand. We just hung out and the kids played. After we dropped daddy at home and headed to Nathaniel and Marina’s birthday party at Jump N Shout. It was so hot in there though so not a lot of the kids were jumping. My kids really liked the trampoline but didn’t go in the bounce houses too much. Nicole loved putting baby Marina in her lap and hanging out with Lexie. I caught Nicole on top of Justin. I got there a little late with the camera but I tried.

The kids ate too much sugar though-Justin actually complained of a belly ache. The party was fun. Dad had to work tonight so I stopped at Chuck E Cheese with a friend. The kids had a great time playing games. They are getting into getting tickets and were so proud when a ton of tickets came out. We had a great time. The kids got little microphones and lollipops with their tickets. We stopped on the way home and got a pizza for dinner. Dad worked but from home and the kiddos watched a little TV. I needed a break. I went upstairs with the kids and they seemed kind of tired. We did capes for a bit but then I just read a lot of books. I was ready to go to sleep after reading all the books. I told some stories as well. It seemed as though they weren’t going to sleep but all of a sudden all is quiet.

It feels like it has been a long week. And this morning didn’t start off too well. Bret cut his hair and asked me to help with the neck and back. He had the wrong blade on so he is shaved in the middle of the back of his head. Poor guy-it looks bad, but in a few days it will grow in. Luckily he has pink eye and worked from home today. Here is a picture:

We mentioned it was a big boo boo and Nicole went down to get daddy her boo boo bunny, it was so funny. This morning was the summer social for pre school. Very hectic being the membership person. The kids couldn’t have behaved any better. They were at preschool with  me from 9-1 and were so well behaved and occupied themselves. They were outside a lot of the time playing nicely. They had lots of snacks and lunch there. I was very proud of them for letting me do what I needed to do. We came home and I gave them some candy as reward that cousin Zach gave them. The kids continued to play at home pretty well excpet for the occasional fight over a toy. I gave them showers, so nice at is much faster than bath. Nicole is wearing the same dress she has worn for the last 3 days. I have been doing lots of  laundry since Bret has pink eye. Justin has on an outfit that he picked out himself, looks cute but not sure how well it matches. Oh well. At least the kids are out of their bathing suits-thats what they were to preschool this morning.

After bath the kids performed for me. Dancing around crazy in the family room. It was really cute and I got some video of it. Dad came home a little early, he worked remotely from a place that has wireless. I can’t stop laughing at his hair, I better sleep with one eye open tonight. The kids watched some TV and then we had dinner. After dinner we played in the backyard with water balloons and toys. We decided to pull out all the tomato bushes so the kids helped with that. They loved tossing the tomatos that were still green in the trash can. Can’t believe how they overtook the garden. The kids are excited about planting new things. Justin has a huge plant growing there from pre school, I thought it was a bean plant but now I am thinking it is a sunflower, we will wait and see. The kids were fun tonight. I made capes out of their sheets and they prenteded to be super duper Elmo and Zoe. Then we played car wash for a bit and read books. Right before bed the kiddos decided they were hungry, they didn’t eat much dinner. So we gave them a peach and off to bed they went.

Dad called in sick today from work. He has been feeling a bit under the weather. The kids and I signed up at the OC Zoo for a class called animals in your backyard. It was cute. The kids got to pet a snake, and see/touch its skin that he sheds, and touch lots of skins, like racoon and coyote. There were also 3 really cute crafts making ladybugs, snails, and snakes. Nicole was all into it but Justin after about 30 minutes was ready to go see the zoo animals-he was also hungry. After the class we went and walked around the zoo. It is a tiny zoo but the bears were the highlight. The kids liked seeing them up on the branches. We stayed for storytime as well. Not too exciting though. The lady played Owl noises and then read 2 books. One of the books was one I had read this morning to the kids so they were all excited. Since we were at the Irvine Regional Park Justin wanted to go on the train of course. The kids waited so patiently until the train was ready to go. On the way home we stopped at the grocery store real quick and got some lunch. After lunch dad and the kids did a ton of water balloons, they were all soaked. Then the kiddos played in their pool. So cute watching them jump in it and have fun together. After Justin was all done he said I need cake because its hot but then he said he needed it because he was hungry. It was funny! The kids relaxed and watched some TV. Dad took a nap. We headed to the Spectrum after. We ran to Target and Carters then met Grammy and Zach at Dave and Busters. Justin immediately just wanted to play games-he didn’t care about what he was having for dinner. The kids had fun playing games. We had a great time. The kids were really tired tonight and went to bed really easily.

Turned into a busy day. We were out and about early. We tried to go to the library early but it wasn’t open yet, so we headed to Target across the street. I got Justin some “daddy” shoes, like his topsiders, so cute. We went over the library for the event. Before the event we went into the library and got some new books-it is amazing and great about how excited the kids get about books.  It was something called One World Rythm. It was obviously all about music. All the kids got to play with little instruments, it was really cute. Really cute until Nicole wanted what Justin got, ugh. Nicole is still a little on the cranky side. Anyway the kids really liked it. After we rushed out of there to go to our friend’s pool. We went over to Michelle’s pool (Rio’s mommy). The kids were excited to see one another. My kiddos wanted to swim in the big pool but I forgot my bathing suit, ugh. For the most part they listened and stayed close to the stairs with their floaties. The baby pool was freezing compared to the big pool. Justin had a little trouble getting back to the stairs a couple of times but overall did ok. Nicole loved playing with Rio’s floating baby in the pool. Nicole and Justin did not want to get out of the pool so I don’t think they even ate lunch until about 1:30. Nicole was so sad when we had to leave. I was crazy today so we ran home and took showers as fast as we could then we were out again. The kids had so much fun spraying with the shower head, I hated to rush them but they wanted to go to the library storytime and craft. The story time was all about pigs today-the kids made pig puppets. So cute and lots of glue. Then the kids told me they needed some exercise so we ran around the park area outside of the library. When we got home dad read all the library books we checked out. The kids helped pick a lot of the tomatoes. We now have so many tomatoes. I bought this new kid’s pool to try out, so after dinner we got it out just to see if it would work. What was I thinking? The kids saw something new and got into their bathing suits and in they went. They were so funny and loving it, laying in it, getting the hair all wet, etc. They were having so much fun, it was so cute to listen to and watch. Too bad the pool wasn’t as great as I thought so I may take it back. The kids saw us eating some of dad’s birthday cake and wanted some. Justin went inside and got a big fork. So funny. So we all ate cake then it was time to come in. The kids were still crazy, playing with all their balls. We went upstairs and the kids got ready for bed. Nicole wanted to sleep in the dress she had on, so we let her. The kids played car wash and then read lots of books. They want me to find books they haven’t read in a while. They were pretty tired and went right to sleep.

This morning I went out for a walk with my friends before the kiddos got up. We tried to get out fast this morning. I wanted to stop by the pre school to collect more paperwork. It was hard to pull the kids out of there, they were having fun. We went to a free movie today, Alvin and The Chipmunks. Paula and gang met us there. It was great-the kids loved it. The kids were laughing at scenes in the movie and bopping in my lap to the music. Nicole calls herself Alvin now and Justin is Simon. He is proud of the fact that Simon is the smartest. We did an errand then I decided to go out to lunch with my kids. We just went to In N Out Burger. We were all really hungry. Then we went to the toy store to buy some gifts. The kids were loving playing with all the toys and picking gifts out for their friends. Nicole got a little cranky though and has had one time out. Nicole put on her Abby Cadaby costume when she got home. Justin was busy playing trains. Not sure why Nicole was just a challenge today, but tonight we had a great time. We went to ice skating lessons. Nicole was so happy to be going and Justin was a trooper hanging out why she skated. When we got there, he got to watch the zimbonee and that was a highlight. Then he played his Leapster for a bit while Nicole skated. Then he just hung out with me. We had fun cheering Nicole on. Nicole is doing great learning to skate. After I took the kiddos out for pizza and then took them to the little candy store. When we got home we all played upstairs. Justin was running around. We read books then I went to get Justin in his jammies and I did it silly, putting his shorts over his head then we went nuts. I put pants on him then shorts and two shirts, On Nicole I managed to put 5 bathing suits. Then I added Justin’s bathing suit to his attire. It was a fun night-made up for how difficult they were today.

Looks like both kids are well again, at least right now. We just took it easy and played at home this morning. I did some laundry too. The kids and I read books, the kids pretended to be dogs-Nicole was Biscuit from the book and Justin was Zoe. We did play doh for a bit. I put a blanket in the middle of the family room and the kids had a pretend picnic. It was a good morning. We had our first swim lessons today. The kids did pretty well. They didn’t mind someone else holding them in the water at all. Justin was a little more cautious than Nicole (typical though). He was brave and went first. Justin was so funny he was talking to the instructor like he had been swimming forever and knew everything she was saying. I think he just needs to boost his confidence a bit. Nicole just did whatever the instructor told her to do. They both worked on floating on their backs, and blowing bubbles. Each one had an individual lesson so I got in the pool and played with the other one. It was fun. After the lessons we played in the big pool for a bit then we went into the kiddie pool. The kids had a blast playing. It was fun to watch. When we got home the kiddos were starving, so after snack they took a bath. After bath Nicole was melting down quite a bit. I decided to be fun mom and play with the kids. We went under the fan in the futon room as it was hot. We played with lots of old toys, jack in the box, blocks, fishing, etc. The kids were talking about bowling so I got the bowling set out that I bought a long time ago. The kids loved it. They had trouble setting up the pins though as they kept on falling but we had a good time. Dad came home and we went out to dinner to celebrate his birthday. The kids were crazy at dinner, wanting to sit under the table and color under there. Apparently they were having a tea party. They seemed so hyper so after dinner we decided to go to the park (aka monkey bar park). Nicole is so determined to do the monkey bars. Justin tries for a little while but then plays on everything else. Nicole’s stays on the monkey bars the entire time. We got home and the kids played with money. They throw it and say they are feeding the animals-money everywhere. We read books then before bed the kids decided to walk on daddy’s back and then jump onto the beds. Finally they settled down.

Well Nicole woke up with a fever today, ugh. She was acting strange and sleepy so we knew something was wrong. She woke us up last night twice to put her blanket on for her. We were supposed to take Zach and his friend to Hollywood, but we thought Nicole should rest. So Justin and daddy went. Nicole was 100% better after giving her Tylenol. We had fun playing. We read lots of books. Then we had a birthday party for pink teddy and invited all his friends, My Little Ponies, and some doggies. Nicole loved it. Since she was feeling better I decided to go to a practice session at the ice skating rink. So scary to get back on skates but it came back to me. I had fun skating with my little girl. She is so determined to get skating. She is getting better and better. She did fall asleep on the way there but was as happy as can be when we got to the ice skating rink. On the way home we stopped at the grocery store to get supplies to make dad’s birthday cake (carrot cake). Nicole helped me bake the cake. We had fun in the kitchen and she couldn’t wait to help. While the cake was cooking we watched Strawberry Shortcake. It was so strange not having Justin with me. I missed him so much. When dad and Justin came home, Justin told us all about his day. He saw Batman, Elmo, Spiderman, storm trooper, and dad and him took a picture with Supergirl. Can’t wait to see that one. Justin talked about the candy shop where he got black licorce, gross but he liked it. He talked about the restaurant too, where he needed to find metal to attach a magnet. I think he liked his juice box best. We all had a great time today but too bad we were separated for so long. We all had dinner but it was a quick dinner since cake was at the end. Nicole ate most of the frosting and Justin ate both cake and frosting. This was the first time they had carrot cake. We went outside after dinner to play for a bit. The kids rode bikes and scooters and dad got on his scooter. I did some gardening. We came in and read a lot of books. Nicole actually fell asleep before we were done reading. I got to cuddle with Justin for a bit then he went to sleep. Have to get organizrd around here as the cleaners are coming tomorrow.